MOSQUE IN BOOKS

South Bute Town, Cardiff, Wales, UK Communal Project 2020

The Bute Town Communal library pays tribute to the Islamic heritage of local residents and aims to reconnect the area back to the city

Due to its special location, the project has the potential to reconnect the abandoned Bute Town back to the city of Cardiff. The library is built around the 3-storey high courtyard with multiple levels surrounding which are created for activities with different degrees of privacy. Most spaces are opened considering the small scale of the project and the main design aim is to encourage social interactions within the building. The mashrabiya-like facade is inspired by Islamic culture and provides linkage to the biggest population group in Bute Town. It controls the interior climate of the building through lighting while providing the building aesthetic uniqueness internally and externally at the same time.

Form of the building is decided with the consideration of not causing any overshadowing inside the library and to nearby buildings considering the site limitation of having a north-facing orientation.

Position of the entrance is designed this way to attract visitors from all Bute Town, City Centre and Cardiff Bay.

Ground floor (Courtyard, Reception and Children Library)

1. Entrance

2. Exhibition space

3. Reception

4. Reception table

5. Storage

6. Staff space

7. Courtyard

8. Lift

9. Staircases to first floor and communal space

10. Toilets

11. Children library

First floor (Main Library and Mezzanine floor)

12. Main library

13. Reading space next to facade

14. Staircases to second floor

15. Spiral staircases to mezzanine floor

16. Reading space on mezzanine floor

17. Reading space on platforms

18. Lift

Design is separated into different zones due to the needs of different users. Aspects like acoustic and accessibility is also being taken into account which are essential for a library to provide ideal user experiences.

A courtyard is designed in the middle of the building to be the main design feature and to create an indoor microclimate. Extra large staircases are used to ensure accessibility and can also act as communal spaces.

The building is then wrapped up with glazing and patterned shelter to ensure sufficient natural lighting due to the limitation of site. The apperance also pays tribute to the Islanmic heritage of Bute Town residences.

Second floor (Quiet zone)

19. Reading space on platforms

20. Lift

21. Quite zone

22. Studying tables and bookshelves

23. Self studying corners

Quiet Zone

One of the few enclosed rooms in the library which is designed for activities that require more privacy like private studying and researching. The Mashrabiya provides users with enough privacy while giving that aesthetical uniqueness.

Courtyard

Being in the middle of the library, the courtyard act as a major communal space for people to gather while letting them decide where is their next destination. The vegetations also help to create a pleasant indoor micro-climate.

CHILDREN’S LIBRARY

At the corner of the ground floor is the children’s library which not only provides a rare “playground-like” space in Bute Town for the local children but also serves children from other areas to encourage interactions.